John J. Bowman Jr., Accountant, provides some tips on how to avoid overpaying for the basic monthly necessities in your budget.

1. HowtoAvoidOverpaying
fortheBasics
John J. Bowman Jr., Accountant

2. Budgets are tight. But could they
be easier?
Sometimes, even carefully scrutinized budgets miss some costly details.
Some of your recurring expenses might not need to be quite as high as they
are. Avoid the following mistakes when paying for the basics, and you
could find yourself with much more cash leftover at the end of the month.

3. Rethink Cable
Do you really need cable? If you have an
Internet connection, you can save a
bundle by cutting the cord and opting
for streaming services like Netflix, Roku,
and Hulu. Are you overpaying for your
cell phone? Unlimited service is
available for as low as $35/month via
certain retailers; if you are paying more
than that, shop around for other
options.

4. BeSustainable
Energy bills can leave you broke,
especially if you live hot or cold
climates. Every degree you lower
the thermostat in winter and raise
it in summer can save you up to 3
percent on your bill. If no one’s
home all day, why pay to keep
the place at 75 degrees? A
programmable thermostat can
help you adjust temperatures
according to your schedule.
When you head to work, are
buses and trains an option? Many
Millennials find they can do
without cars and the payments,
insurance, and gas that keep
many Americans broke.

5. Eat In
Dining out can serve up an unnecessary
burden on your budget. Avoid high
costs and calories by learning some
quick recipes to prepare at home.
Brown bagging your lunch saves you
money and calories. Cook a big dish
over the weekend and take the leftover
to work. For groceries, forget
convenience and shop where you get
the best value. Warehouse clubs can
save you money if you avoid the
temptation to buy more than you use.
Also, get a coffee maker to make your
brew at home instead of purchasing
pricy cafe lattes.

6. FindLow-Cost
Entertainment
You'll probably need some
entertainment now and then. Big
movie theatre chains offer
discount plans and second-run
movie houses provide big
savings. There are also great
deals for kids.

7. These
strategies
can save you
hundreds
every month.
That can be enough to fund an emergency
savings account or retirement plan.
Establishing a cost-effective lifestyle takes
planning and discipline, but it’s better than
being broke.

8. Thankyou.
For more of John J. Bowman Jr.'s work, please visit:
JBowmanAccountant.info